Quarantine has had me looking back fondly on my Costa Rica adventure. One of my favorite experiences was walking through Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve—an area that looks straight out of a fairytale.
As you begin to plan vacations for a time when it’s safe to travel again, I’d highly recommend the Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica. This is a bucket list item that’s not to be missed!
Visiting the Monteverde Cloud Forest
When to Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest
The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. I’d go right when it opens. It’ll be a lot less crowded then.
The trails are well marked, and soon you’ll find yourself in a world straight out of Jurassic Park!
The Sendero Nubloso Trail
The trail with the best views is Sendero Nubloso. It’ll take you straight to the viewpoint of the Continental divide.
There, you can spot the Pacific and Caribbean side. (Note the ocean in the center. That’s right, you can see the ocean!)
You can even get an overlook of the entire forest! On a good day, it’s clear where the names come from. The clouds seem to touch the tops of the trees. It’s truly stunning.
Walking the Hanging Bridges
Follow the Sendero Roble and it will take you to the famous hanging bridges.
What to Bring
Despite what the name may imply, you can still catch some sun while hiking in the cloud forest. I’d bring some sunscreen, mosquito repellent, water, and cash. The hike should take anywhere from 3-4 hours, and you’ll definitely be hungry. Luckily, there’s a great cafe located right by the entrance where you can grab a meal.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Monteverde Cloud Forest is a fairytale hike that every visitor to Costa Rica should check out. Have you made the visit? Is this forest on your bucket list?
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Safe travels!
-Maggie
